Everything You Need to Know About The Saudi Umrah Visa

Introduction

Every year, Saudi Arabia welcomes millions of travelers performing the sacred pilgrimage of Umrah. In 2023, a record 13.55 million Muslims did Umrah, 5 million more than in 2019.

Performing Umrah is a great way to achieve spiritual rejuvenation and tranquility. You can schedule it whenever you wish outside of Hajj period, plus, you can also visit ancient sites in Saudi Arabia while in the country. Umrah is an important act of worship you can practice, and truly something you must experience.

Are there new guidelines in place for getting a Saudi Umrah visa? How hard or how easy is it to get a Saudi Umrah visa? Read on for the steps to securing this visa, where to apply, and the costs involved.

Eligibility

The first step to planning your trip to Saudi Arabia for Umrah is determining your eligibility for a Saudi Umrah visa.

Muslims of all nationalities are welcome to apply for a Saudi Umrah visa. You may perform Umrah throughout the year except during the Hajj season, which takes place from the 15th of Dhul Qa’dah to the 15th of Dhul Hijjah.

There are several Saudi visas you can apply for that will allow you to perform Umrah. You have the tourist e-visa, personal visit visa, family visit visa, transit/stopover visa, or the visa on arrival. In this article, we will focus on the dedicated Saudi Umrah visa, which can be acquired through authorized service providers such as travel agents, as regulated by local authorities.

Validity

Because performing Umrah is set for a specific time, the Umrah visa is a single-entry visa valid for stays of up to two weeks in Saudi Arabia.

Once you have a Saudi Umrah e-visa, you may check it through Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) website. Just visit MOFA’s Visa services platform and look for the Enquiry field, select “Visa document number, indicate your visa number, and your passport number, followed by your nationality and the image code for the Captcha. Once verified, you’ll see the status of your Saudi visa.

If you overstay in Saudi Arabia, you must pay a fine of SAR 100 ($26.66) at the airport for each day you’ve extended your permitted stay in the country beyond your visa validity.

Application

As mentioned, you must book a travel package from any of Saudi Arabia’s authorized service providers or government-approved local Umrah operators to apply for an Umrah visa. You may get in touch with an authorized local travel agency or take your pick from the available packages on Nusuk, Saudi Arabia’s holistic journey platform.

Requirements

When applying through a travel agency, you will need the following:

• An accomplished Umrah visa application form
• One recent passport-size photo with a white background
• Passport with at least six months validity remaining
• Confirmed flight tickets. These must be non-refundable.
• A valid residency permit or an ID proving your residency from the country you are applying from
• Proof of vaccination against meningococcal meningitis. Make sure that the certificate of vaccination is issued at least 10 days before you arrive in Saudi Arabia and not older than three years.
• If you are traveling with your sister, wife, or mother, you will need to provide evidence that you are their mahram.
• Health insurance

Processing time

Assuming there are no problems with your submitted documents or your application information, it may take between 5 to 10 days for your Umrah visa to be issued.

Visa fees

Note that the Umrah visas themselves are free for all nationalities. However, because each country will have its own set of local Umrah providers and travel packages, the visa fees will vary.

If you were to refer to the Umrah packages available on Nusuk, these can range from as low as SAR 780 ($207.98) for a Basic Umrah package to SAR 6500 ($1,733.15) for a VIP Umrah package.

Basic Umrah packages typically include fees for the visa, shared accommodation, group transportation to and from the airport, as well as health insurance. Economy Umrah packages, meanwhile, will also include transportation from and to Haram.

If your budget allows, the VIP Umrah packages will typically include all of these along with transportation to Mazarat Makkah with a religious supervisor, and meals.

Applying on behalf of children or a group

If you are planning on bringing your children along with you as you perform Umrah, the good news is that they may accompany you if they are five years old or older. You may already book an Umrah permit for them, as long as they have not tested positive for COVID-19. According to the Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umrah, children who are escorted by their parents may access the Grand Mosque.

If you are applying for a Saudi visa on behalf of children, consult your authorized Umrah service provider. The children will need separate visas to accompany you on your trip.

If you are applying for an Umrah visa on behalf of a group and there are different nationalities within the group, it might be best for group members of the same nationality to coordinate with a common local travel agent.

Finding and printing your Umrah visa

You won’t need to present a hard copy of your visa, because it will show up in the Saudi travel authorities’ system. But it is recommended to keep a digital copy on your mobile phone.

If you wish to print your visa and you did not receive a copy of it, visit https://visa.mofa.gov.sa/visaservices/searchvisa (from the website of Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs) to print it from the platform.

Insurance

According to Saudi Arabia’s Council of Health Insurance (CHI), health insurance is mandatory if you are applying for an Umrah visa.

Once your Umrah visa is issued, your health insurance will automatically be activated. The health insurance will cover in-patient treatment (including the cost of COVID-19 treatment) and all health emergencies through a network of approved healthcare service providers.

When making a claim, note that it is not necessary to pay a deductible or a co-payment when you visit an authorized health insurance provider such as a pharmacy, doctor’s office, or an ambulance service center.
You may check the status and validity of your Umrah health insurance policy by visiting the CHI services portal. Simply enter your passport number and the Captcha verification code.

To get a copy of your insurance policy, you may request for a copy from your travel agent.

Frequently Asked Questions

Although we’ve covered the important information on applying for an Umrah visa, we’re certain you have many questions. Here are some answers to frequently asked questions.

What are the mandatory immunizations for Umrah pilgrims?

Umrah pilgrims must secure immunization for the following if they are traveling to Saudi Arabia for Umrah:

• COVID-19
• Neisseria meningitis
• Tetravalent meningitis (at least 10 days before visiting Hajj areas)
• Seasonal influenza (a dose of the Southern seasonal influenza vaccine)

What information is required for a pilgrim to register in Nusuk?

Provide the following information if you are registering on Nusuk:

• Passport number
• Visa number
• Date of birth
• Nationality
• Mobile number
• E-mail address

I can’t see my Umrah permit in the application after it was issued. What do I do?

If your permit doesn’t appear after issuance, just drag the screen down to refresh the page and it should be displayed.

Can I change my name on Nusuk?

Yes, you can change your name on Nusuk. You’ll need to delete your existing Nusuk account and register as a new user with the proper name. It should be updated instantly, otherwise, get in touch with the Enaya Center for Services for the Guests of God at the Ministry of Hajj and Umrah by calling 92000281.

Can I perform Umrah during Ramadan with an Umrah visa?

Yes, Umrah can be performed during Ramadan with a valid Umrah visa. However, the influx of pilgrims during Ramadan may affect the availability of accommodation and transportation.

Are there any restrictions on Umrah visa holders?

Umrah visa holders must abide by the rules and regulations set by the Saudi authorities. Violations may result in penalties or deportation.

Can you do Umrah in one day?

While it is technically possible to complete the rituals of Umrah within a single day, it is not the traditional or recommended way of performing Umrah. The customary practice involves spending a few days in the holy city of Mecca to perform Umrah with tranquility, devotion, and reflection.

However, circumstances may arise where individuals have limited time due to travel constraints or other commitments. In such cases, performing Umrah in one day is permissible.

It is advisable to allocate more time, if possible, to fully immerse oneself in the spiritual experience and take advantage of the blessings and opportunities for worship in the holy city of Mecca.

Can I perform Umrah alone?

Yes, it is entirely permissible to perform Umrah alone, without the need for a companion or group. Performing Umrah is an individual act of worship, and both men and women can undertake the pilgrimage independently.

Can I apply for an Umrah visa myself?

Yes, you can apply for an Umrah visa yourself, assuming you are eligible for a Saudi e-visa, which allows you to perform Umrah.

What does the word “Umrah” mean?

In Arabic, “Umrah” translates to “visiting a populated place.”

Can non-Muslims travel to Mecca and Medina?

No, non-Muslims are forbidden from visiting Mecca and certain parts of Medina considered sacred, such as the Prophet’s Mosque (Al-Masjid an-Nabawi).

Additionally, there may be restrictions on non-Muslims entering other religious sites or areas of significance within Medina. While the exact boundaries of these restrictions can vary, it’s common for non-Muslims to be prohibited from entering mosques and certain religious landmarks.

These restrictions are in place out of respect for the sanctity of these sites and to maintain the religious atmosphere for worshippers. However, you must check with local authorities or tour guides for the most up-to-date information on specific access restrictions for non-Muslims in Medina.

Conclusion

Every year, millions of Muslims from all over the world travel to Mecca in Saudi Arabia to perform the Umrah pilgrimage.

The Nusuk platform is making it easier for Muslims from certain eligible countries to obtain an Umrah visa to embark on Umrah.

There are several ways to obtain a Saudi visa that permits performing Umrah. To acquire a dedicated Saudi Umrah visa, however, pilgrims must book an Umrah package from Saudi Arabia’s authorized service providers.

For more information on how to obtain a Saudi Umrah visa, visit the Nusuk website.

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